How do I obtain a request for qualifications for a regional center?

I am affiliated with a local economic development organization that is interested in becoming an EB-5 Regional Center. We have done a fair amount of research around the program and would now like to put out a request for qualifications. Is there generally a standard format for such a request? What type of information would I need for a request for qualifications?

Look at the requirements for filing an I-924 application. Ensure that your own organization preparations in terms of compliance with both the state and federal laws are in the right order particularly with regards to corporate, immigration and securities laws. Also, ask about whether what you intend to offer as a regional center will be sufficient to be EB-5 compliant. Avoid a so-called standard format or formulaic checklists because, your planned EB-5 regional center would probably be unique in terms of its offers and characteristics. Note, there are about 425 regional centers out there, so employ professionals who can help put your application for regional center together. All these steps and issues are better shepherded by an EB-5 immigration attorney either working alone or along with other professionals.

The application for regional center designation is submitted to the USCIS on Form I-924. See http://www.uscis.gov/i-924. You should retain an experienced EB-5 immigration attorney who can advise you on the legal requirements, and who can assist you by gathering the team of professionals you will need for this endeavor.

Philip H Teplen

Immigration Attorney

Answered onJanuary 17, 2014

The application is in the form of a very detailed prospectus with demographics of direct and indirect employment creation. If you would like specific detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regional Centers are approved through adjudication of I-924, Application For Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. See http://www.uscis.gov/i-924. The filings are very extensive, requiring business plans, economic models, feasibility studies, etc. Our firm has an entire practice dedicated to those filings and general regional center administration.

The first step is to consult with an experienced EB-5 attorney who can advise you on the next steps to take. The attorney can also introduce you to the experienced EB-5 professionals who are key to preparing the supporting documentation for the Regional Center Application for Designation.

I am not sure I understand your question. Would this request for qualifications be related to receiving bids from professionals to help structure and apply for your organization's regional center (i.e. to file your I-924 application with USCIS)? In the EB-5 industry, there is no formal bidding process. There are generally 3-4 critical professionals required for the I-924 process: an EB-5 immigration attorney, an EB-5 economist, an EB-5 business plan writer, and depending on the type of application (hypothetical, actual, or exemplar) an EB-5 securities attorney. My firm is very familiar with the process and we represent many regional centers around the country. I would be happy to offer you a complimentary consultation to further discuss this process.

To be qualified as a regional center by USCIS, you would need to prepare and file the form I-924 application and supporting documentation. How this is done depends on your business, location, potential projects, and more. This process is best completed with the counsel of qualified EB5 attorneys (like those at our law firm).

You should retain legal counsel that has experience in forming Regional Centers.

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